Kate Humble has paid tribute to Bill Oddie, recalling him as "brilliant, wonderful, maddening, clever, and infuriating" after the BBC star died aged 85. Humble, who co-presented Springwatch and Autumnwatch with Oddie, described him as a unique storyteller and enthusiast for the natural world.
Tributes from colleagues
Producer Stephen Moss, who worked with Oddie on several nature programmes, said it was "impossible to overestimate how important" Oddie's impact on birdwatching was. Moss revealed that Humble had contacted him after Oddie's death and shared her thoughts.
On BBC Radio 4's The World At One, Humble said: "No-one could tell a story like Bill. No-one could make me laugh like Bill. No-one could enthuse anyone, whoever they were, to go outside and get excited about a robin." She added: "He just had that way of just making the natural world everybody's world, and I think that's what we all loved about him."
Oddie's varied talents
Humble highlighted Oddie's wide-ranging interests: "He wasn't just the nerdy birder, or the funny, slightly irascible comedian, or the brilliant musician. He was all of those things." She also noted his openness about mental health struggles, saying he was "one of the earliest, bravest people to say, 'No, this is something that I have, and this is something that I have to deal with.'"
Oddie co-presented Springwatch from 2005 to 2008, along with Autumnwatch, but was later dropped. He spoke openly about the depression that followed and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Statement from agent and family
His agent David Foster announced the death on Monday, saying: "It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Bill Oddie, the country's best-loved birder." Foster praised Oddie's contributions to conservation and asked for respect for his family's privacy.
Jo Rowland, chief executive of the RSPCA, said: "I know many of our wildlife rescuers were inspired into animal welfare by Bill's groundbreaking broadcasting work and incredible knowledge of British birds." She added: "Nature has lost one of its best friends, fiercest champions and most iconic defenders."
Early life and career
Born William Edgar Oddie in Lancashire on July 7 1941, he was raised in Birmingham by his father and grandmother. His mother had schizophrenia and was in psychiatric care. Oddie studied English literature at Cambridge University, where he began his comedy career with Footlights.
He co-founded The Goodies with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden in the 1970s. The show ran from 1970 to 1982 and featured Oddie's novelty songs like The Funky Gibbon. After The Goodies, he turned to nature presenting, hosting Birding With Bill Oddie and Bill Oddie Goes Wild.
Conservation legacy
Oddie was a lifelong birdwatcher and served on councils for the RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and Worldwide Fund for Nature. In 2003 he received an OBE for services to wildlife conservation.
He is survived by his wife Laura Beaumont and daughters Bonnie, Kate, and Rosie.
